Chilean court fines Whirlpool in compressor cartel action

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CHILE: US compressor manufacturer Whirlpool has been fined approximately US$10m plus costs in the Chilean courts for its part in the international refrigeration compressor cartel.
Fellow conspirator and 'whistle blower' Tecumseh was also found guilty but exempted from fines under the cartel leniency programme. Chile is the first country where the case has been trialed and sentenced by a court.

Both companies were said to have participated in an international cartel that goes back to 2004 and was terminated in 2008. They admitted to having been fined by other competition authorities - USA, EU, Canada and New Zealand - for participating in a collusive agreement. Chile is the first country where the case has been trialed and sentenced by a court.